New survey reveals small businesses provide greater service

Thursday 11 February 2010

Small, family run businesses in Guernsey provide greater customer service than the larger national chains according to a new survey.

Nationwide research among 3,000 consumers for The Best Of, the local business and information guide, revealed 75% of people in Southern England, including the Channel Islands, enjoy shopping at smaller stores and businesses because staff are 'more friendly and knowledgeable' about products and prices.

“80% of those surveyed highlighted the fact that people who own and work for smaller businesses are more enthusiastic about what they do.” says Kate Heywood of the Best of Guernsey.

“67% believe that family run companies care for their staff better than the large corporations. This attitude is mirrored by consumer behaviour - as 57% nationally say they have made the effort to compliment a small business on the good service they have received.

“Eight in 10 people believe smaller businesses deserve more recognition for the role they play in the community, and 82% wish local businesses received more support to help them prosper within their community.
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The poll was commissioned by The Best Of to launch its '14 Days of Love' campaign which invites people to ‘show some love’ to the millions of local small firms, shops and stores, across the UK from 1st February through to Valentine’s Day.

The Best Of has been running a ‘Love-O-Meter’ on its website featuring the most loved businesses in each location, including Guernsey and Jersey. People can get involved by ’sharing their love’ and influencing the Love-o-Meter score for each business. At the end of the 14 Days of Love the Top 10 Most Loved Guernsey Businesses and top 100 for the UK will be unveiled.

“Small businesses get precious little media attention compared to their big national rivals and yet, as our recent research shows, they deliver so much more.” continued Kate.

“We urge everyone in Guernsey to spend a bit of time celebrating the hidden gems on the island and ‘big up’ the local firms that really make a difference. Who knows? We could get a local business listed amongst the top 100 most loved businesses in the whole of the UK!”

Competition is already ‘hotting up’ between business members with the top five ‘most loved’ including Avant Garden, Sueco, Bowditch Fitness & Nutrition, The Ambassador Hotel and Pavillion Home Furnishers.

The Best Of Guernsey is also running a prize draw to find ‘the best lovers’ on the island. Those people who post testimonials for local businesses will be entered into the national draw with great prizes being given every day until Valentine’s Day, including the new Apple iPad and a Track Day driving a Ferrari 360 and Lamborghini Gallardo.